Natural graphite market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Brazilian natural graphite market volume showed significant movements. The initial increase was supported by capacity expansion projects at the leading producer Nacional de Grafite and the market entry of Grafite do Brasil, which started exploration and processing of high-quality crystalline graphite in Bahia. The first industrial-scale graphene production plants in Brazil also became operational, adding value to natural graphite.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2020, with both production and market volume falling notably. The market rebounded strongly in 2021, driven by the announcement from new entrant Graphcoa of up to R$ 2 billion in investments aimed at doubling domestic production to serve growing demand from electric vehicle battery and metallurgical sectors.

Growth continued in 2022, supported by further capacity expansion plans, including SG L Carbon's move to increase output of graphite products for the semiconductor industry. Sustained global demand from steel and aluminum production, alongside the ongoing energy transition, provided additional momentum for the market.

Production natural graphite in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Brazil was one of the world's top producers of natural graphite from 2018 to 2021, ranking third globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of natural graphite, 2018-2021

World map of production of natural graphite, 2018-2021

In 2021, Brazil produced 78 555 tonnes of natural graphite, representing a robust 17.2% increase compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2020 at 67 020 tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2019 with 81 770 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, when production fell by 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Brazil's natural graphite production was valued at 118.0 million US dollars, showing a strong 14.8% improvement over 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value increased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 102.8 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 120.9 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020, when production value dropped by 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports natural graphite from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Brazil's natural graphite exports rebounded in 2021, reaching 19 848 tonnes for a solid 19.7% year-over-year improvement. However, between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 17.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 6.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 16 576 tonnes, with the largest single-year decline occurring in 2019 at 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (28.8% of export volume), the United States (14.4%), and Poland (12.9%) were the primary destinations for Brazil's natural graphite exports, collectively accounting for 56.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decrease, Brazil's natural graphite export value increased in 2021, reaching 29 818 thousand US dollars for a significant 17.3% rise compared to the previous year. Despite this recovery, exports decreased by 9.4% between 2018 and 2021, translating to an annualized decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 25 430 thousand US dollars, with the largest single-year decline occurring in 2019 at 13.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Germany (35.0% of export value), the United States (18.8%), and Poland (8.7%) were Brazil's main export markets for natural graphite by value, together representing 62.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports natural graphite to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

Brazil's natural graphite imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, falling to 990 tonnes for a steep 43.4% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 34%, with a compound annual decline rate of 12.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 453 tonnes, which also saw the largest single-year increase at 63.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China dominated Brazil's natural graphite imports by volume, accounting for 75.6% of total import flows, while the remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Brazil's natural graphite import value declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, dropping to 1 663 thousand US dollars for a substantial 17.6% decrease compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value decreased by 35.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 13.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 411 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest single-year increase at 32.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, when import value fell by 40.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, China (63.0% of import value), Germany (11.8%), and France (9.1%) were Brazil's key import partners for natural graphite by value, collectively accounting for 83.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021